The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP

New Radio Era Speaks the Language of Cultural Diversity

Older Australians from culturally diverse backgrounds will benefit from increased access to aged care information, with the launch of the Speak My Language radio project, funded by $1 million from the Australian Government.

Older Australians from culturally diverse backgrounds will benefit from increased access to aged care information, with the launch of the Speak My Language radio project, funded by $1 million from the Turnbull Government.

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt AM said Speak My Language would play a vital role in keeping multicultural communities up to date by providing the latest aged care information in languages they understand and are comfortable with.

“Talking about aged care and navigating the aged care system can be daunting for older Australians and their families, particularly those from diverse backgrounds.

“Innovative, community-based programs like this will undoubtedly make the journey easier for many of our most treasured citizens.”

The project will engage 160 bilingual aged care facilitators and ethnic radio programs across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.

“More than 1,000 people’s stories will be broadcast live and podcast to promote ageing well,” said Minister Wyatt.

“Over 600,000 older Australian people were born in countries where English is not the first language.

“These people have contributed enormously to the economic and cultural wealth of our nation, and the Turnbull Government is committed to ensuring they have access to high quality aged care services that are sensitive, inclusive and culturally appropriate.”

The first broadcasts will be in Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Serbian, Macedonian, Hindi, Arabic and English, with this building to include up to 25 language groups.

The project also includes online and social media resources, and links aged care providers offering services for ethnic groups with radio hosts to build understanding of the sector.

The Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW Inc is coordinating the project and expects messages to reach around 50,000 seniors and their families each week.

The $1 million initiative was supported by the Turnbull Government’s Dementia and Aged Care Services Fund.

“Cultural diversity in our aged care system is set to increase in future years. With 45 per cent of Australians born overseas, or with at least one parent who was, multicultural Australia has become contemporary mainstream Australia,” Minister Wyatt said.

“It is essential that this diversity is reflected in how we deliver aged care now and in the future.”